August 25, 2015
Update From the Mill City Commons Membership Coordinator

We are pleased to announce that Joan Wright has accepted the position of Executive Director of Mill City Commons effective August 31. Numerous members enthusiastically recommended Joan as someone who would be a great fit for MCC; the Search Committee concluded that her eclectic and effective career, in combination with her numerous volunteer and life experiences, do indeed match well with both the requirements of the position and the diverse interests and engagement of Mill City Commons members.
 
A self-described "people person," Joan's lifework as an educator and communications professional has focused on building community. Whether in theatre, TV and radio broadcasting, the advertising business, teaching, or various volunteer initiatives at Minnehaha Academy and Westminster Presbyterian Church, fostering a sense of belonging has been of keen interest.
 
Joan will attend tonight's Happy Hour at the Red Cow and as many MCC programs as possible during September so she gets to know members as quickly as possible.
 
For a more detailed announcement, click here.

About the Search
The recruiting strategy to reach out to members, neighbors and friends for candidate suggestions paid off with 12 very good applications for the ED position. The committee ultimately interviewed five qualified candidates, narrowed it to two and -- after an intensive interview process -- selected Joan concluding that she would indeed be "a good fit" for Mill City Commons. Thanks to Committee Chair Carol Vantine, Bob Callahan, Lou Burdick, Ellen Breyer and Bob Whitlock for their hard work for the benefit of Mill City Commons.
Last Tuesday Happy Hour
Tuesday, August 25, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Red Cow, 208 N 1st Ave
Join us for the Last Tuesday Happy Hour at Red Cow North Loop hosted by Bob Callahan and Carol Jordan.  If the weather is nice, we'll be socializing on the outdoor patio. Catch up with friends and neighbors over dutch treat drinks and small bites.  Consider staying for dinner, too; Red Cow doesn't take reservations so you can grab a table when you're ready!

MCC members and guests.  No reservations required.
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thursday, August 27, 7:30 - 8:30 am
Elsie's Restaurant, 729 Marshall St NE   
Caffeine and camaraderie for the male members of MCC and guests!  This group meets every other Thursday and is hosted by various members who get the conversation going.  Please register by the Monday prior to Men's Coffee and Conversation.  Bob Whitlock leads the conversation.  He'll ask members to share their stories relating an individual or occasion that served as an example or influenced them.  He'll kick off the conversation with a sea story!

Men MCC members sign up here.
Technology Helpdesk
Monday, August 31, 4:00 - 5:30 pm
MCC Office, 219 Main St SE, Ste 401  
Schedule time with a Tech Support Guru and have your nagging technology questions answered during our complimentary Helpdesk.  Support for both Apple products and PCs is available.  When you register, MCC will confirm the time of your 20-30 minute one-to-one session.  Reminder:  Installing or upgrading software and creating accounts cannot be included in the Helpdesk session, as they exceed the allotted appointment time.  This month's Helpdesk will be with Kealani Cameron.
 
MCC members sign up here.
Twins Baseball Game
Tuesday, September 1, 7:00 - 10:00 pm
Target Field, 1 Twins Way
Connect with other MCC members while watching the Twins play their divisional foe, the Chicago White Sox.  A block of tickets in Section 125 has been reserved.  Join us to cheer on the home team!  First pitch is at 7:10 pm. 

Sorry, registration is now closed.
Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat
Wednesday, September 2, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express, 818 S 2nd St
Join us to discuss The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht.  In a Balkan country mending from war, Natalia, a young doctor, is compelled to unravel the mysterious circumstances surrounding her beloved grandfather's recent death. Searching for clues, she turns to his worn copy of The Jungle Book and the stories he told her of his encounters over the years with "the deathless man." But most extraordinary of all is the story her grandfather never told her-the legend of the tiger's wife.  Come for the chat whether you've read the book or not!

MCC members and guests.  No reservations required.
Nosy Neighbor Tour: Eastside Restaurant
Wednesday, September 2, 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Eastside Restaurant, 301 Washington Ave S
Join us as we meet with Remy Pettus, head chef at the new Eastside Restaurant located in the Latitude 45 building.  Get a sneak peek in the kitchen that is scheduled to open in September, which includes a high-temperature wood-burning brick oven.  Eastside restaurant will offer a seafood-forward menu in an American brasserie setting with high quality technique-driven food.  The space was designed by the James-Beard nominated architecture firm Shea. 
 
MCC members sign up here.
Social Bridge
Wednesday, September 2, 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Washburn Lofts Community Room, 700 S 2nd St
Join advanced or intermediate bridge players for a round of social bridge. You are expected to come with a partner at your level. (Advanced players play all the major conventions comfortably.)  If you need help finding a partner, contact Carol Jordan at 612-817-0466 or caroljordan@millcitycommons.org and she will assist you. 

MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Our Turn: A Conversation for Women
Thursday, September 3, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
The Landings, 510 River St 
MCC women, you are invited to attend Our Turn: A Conversation for Women.  This group meets every other Thursday alternating between morning and afternoon times.  Locations and topics will change each time. Sylvia Kaplan hosts a celebration of Arvonne Fraser on her 90th birthday. Join her in reflecting on the women's movement these past 50 years, including what we have figured out and what we have not.

Women MCC members sign up here; Guests email MCC.
Travel Insights: Iran
Tuesday, September 8, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Winslow House Party Room, 100 2nd St SE 
Interested in learning more about Iran?  Bill Beeman is the Chair of the Anthropology Department at the University of Minnesota and is a well-known expert on Iran.  He speaks fluent Farsi and has recently returned from a trip to Iran and has interesting observations on change he sees occurring in the area.  Bill will also comment on the possible implications of the nuclear accord.  To see a recent article on Iran written by Bill, click here.

MCC members sign up here.
News from Members

MCC member Carol Jordan invites members to the Global Conversations program at the Minneapolis Central Library.  This month's topic is "Sectarianism in the Middle East" presented by Fulbright Scholar and MacArthur Fellow Waleed Mahdi.  Reserve your free ticket here for September 9 from 6:00-7:30 pm. 

MCC member Merle Minda suggests that members get their filmmaker's hat on and head to the river with a cell or smart phone, i-Pad, Go-Pro, camera - whatever they have - and create a vision, impression of the Mississippi in just 60 seconds! Then enter the Mississippi Minute Film Festival.  Entries accepted through September 15.  For details, click here.

In September, MCC member Arvonne Fraser will celebrate her 90th birthday.  As part of the celebration, Arvonne will be part of a September 16 program at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs titled "Unfinished Business: The Continuing Work of Arvonne Skelton Fraser," followed by cake and a champagne toast.  All are welcome.  For more information and to RSVP, click here.  You'll receive a confirmation email with tickets that need to be printed to enter the event.

MCC member Bob Callahan wants members to know about an upcoming volunteer opportunity on September 18 at the Atul Gawande's Speaking of Being Mortal event.  Volunteers are needed for set up, check-in, and directing attendees. Volunteers will receive a parking voucher, $10 food voucher, free admission to the event and a copy of Being Mortal.  Volunteers are asked to arrive by 1:30 p.m.  For more details or to sign up, email Karen Dalton or call (651) 917-4629.

MCC member Peter Heegaard's new book "Turnabout" is being launched on September 29 from 5:30-7:30 pm.  Come join the dialogue and reception celebrating the local community members whose stories of moving from dependency to self-sufficiency are in his book.  For more details on the event and to register, click here.

MCC member Nancy Verdier wants members to know that the "Make It Pawsible" fundraiser organized by her daughter, Melinda Weir, reached its goal!  Three low-income disabled people from Minneapolis will receive scholarships for free dog obedience training classes at the Animal Humane Society.  There was a good turnout of people from our St. Anthony Main and Northeast Minneapolis area - in spite of the stormy, rainy weather on the night of the event. Melinda plans to host this heartwarming fundraiser again next year.  
Around Town

Minneapolis Satellite Reef
On exhibit through September 30, various hours, Mississippi Watershed Management Office, 2522 Marshall Street NE
Come see the Minneapolis Satellite Reef, part of the worldwide Crochet Coral Reef project created by the Institute for Figuring, in partnership with the Minneapolis Institute of Art.  The world's largest participatory art and science project, the IFF's project combines mathematics, marine biology, environmental consciousness raising and community art practice.  For more information, click here. 

Mill City Times and River Hub
Mill City Times is a metro website devoted specifically to our neighborhood and a place to go to find out what's happening, whether it's a new restaurant opening, a local event, proposed construction, etc.  You can also check out River Hub, a comprehensive listing of events related to the Minneapolis Riverfront.
MCC Upcoming Events  
View the August calendar here
View the September calendar here

 

August 25:  Last Tuesday Happy Hour.  No reservations required!

August 26:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

August 27:  Men's Coffee and Conversation.  MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.

August 31:  Dutch Treat Coffee Chat.  No reservations required.

August 31:  Technology Helpdesk.  MCC members click here.

September 1:  Program Committee Meeting.  

September 1:  Twins Game.  Registration is now closed.

September 2:  Rendezvous Readers' Book Chat.  No reservations required.

September 2:  Nosy Neighbor Tour: Eastside Restaurant.  MCC members click here.

September 2:  Social Bridge.  MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.

September 3:  Our Turn: A Conversation for Women.  MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.

September 8:  Travel Insights: Iran.  MCC members click here.

September 9:  Rendezvous on 5.  No reservations required.

September 9:  MCC Board Meeting.  MCC members click here.

September 10:  Men's Coffee and Conversation.  MCC members click here; Guests email MCC.

September 14:  Dutch Treat Coffee Chat.  No reservations required.

September 14:  Great Decisions:  Human Trafficking in the 21st Century.  MCC Great Decisions members click here.
 
Volunteer Opportunities 
 
 Click here for community volunteer opportunities on the MCC Website!  
 

 Mill City Commons

Ongoing Fitness Opportunities


SBS Class

                      Thursdays

2:00-3:00pm
501FIT,
501 Washington Avenue
Created exclusively for MCC, this class at 501F1T focuses on strength, balance, and stretching. 
First time participants, please contact 501F1T at 612-767-4415 and arrive 20 minutes early to complete paperwork. Cost varies depending on commitment.

  

  River Walkers

Tuesdays and Thursdays,

7:30-8:30am

Stone Arch Lofts Riverside Parking Lot

All level of walkers welcome for this early morning walk along the banks of the Mississippi River. An MCC volunteer leads each walk.

  

Hatha Yoga

Wednesdays and Fridays,

8:00-9:15am

Yoga Center of Minneapolis,

212 3rd Ave N, Ste 205

This is an alignment-based class. Purchase a 12-class pass for $132 directly from YCM to use as your schedule allows, or drop in on a class for $12.50. Contact Dena at 612-436-4700 for details.

Drop-ins welcome.

 

MCC Ongoing Social Opportunities

 

Dutch Treat

Coffee Chat

Mondays

Aster Cafe

Drop in for an afternoon coffee or drink and a casual chat.  No reservations
 required.

 

Rendezvous

Readers' Book Chat
1st Wednesday of the month
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express
   No reservations required.
The Tiger's Wife
by Tea Obreht

Rendezvous on 5

Wednesdays

Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express

Drop in and join your friends and neighbors for fellowship at this neighborhood haunt.  This weekly adventure requires no reservations!

 

Men's Coffee and Conversation  

Elsie's Restaurant,

729 Marshall Street NE

Caffeine and camaraderie for the male members of MCC! This group meets every other Thursday morning and is hosted by various members who get the conversation going.

Our Turn: A Conversation for Women 

Relax and chat with other MCC women. This group meets every other week and alternates between morning and afternoon times. Look for details in the body of this newsletter.

 

 
Ongoing Member-Led Activities

 

Men's B&BS Lunch
Guthrie Theater Level 5 Express
Alternating Thursdays at 11:30 am
 Sept 3 & 17
This casual, dutch treat lunch alternates weeks with Men's Coffee and Conversation. No reservations required! Questions? Contact  Allan Burdick

MCC Caregiver Support Group
1st and 3rd Wednesdays
1:30-3:00 pm
A way to support members who are or have been in a caregiving role. For more information,   contact Tamra Nelson
 
Mill City Commons | 219 Main Street SE, Suite 401, Minneapolis, MN 55414
www.millcitycommons.org | info@millcitycommons.org  
612-455-3329